Attitude or Hungry

We did not have a very good day at school yesterday, which I was shocked because normally he loves Thursday school with P.T. and O.T. BUT I also did not feed Jonathon lunch before we went like I usually do. I wanted to work on some snack foods with O.T., but we ended up getting there late so I just didn't mention it. Well when we switched to work with P.T. at noon he was just miserable. Whiny, yelling, tears! I was very sad but did not stop P.T. from working with him. After school I had an errand to run and on the way there he was still miserable and yelling, whining at me. THEN it dawned on me"You did not feed him lunch" I pulled into a park and asked him if he wanted to eat. Of course he did, so I fed him lunch and felt terrible. I think I starved him and that made him grumpy! Won't do that again. Sorry Jonathon!!!!!

We now officially can climb up on the couch a million times!!! He won't even try to get up there if no one is sitting there. I will take that for now, but if someone is sitting there UP he goes. It's funny to watch him, he thinks it's a game. YAY for Jonathon!

Had our first Juice box yesterday. At first he didn't know what to do, I just showed him to drink like his sippy straw cup and then he took off. He does cough sometimes if he drinks too much at a time, but he did very well and we had another one this morning. I didn't realize that there was a difference compared to the straw sippy. Yep big difference and I am glad I decided to try them.

Potty training is going very well. I have no complaints at all! I have not changed a poopy diaper since last Saturday. Sometimes his diaper/pull up is a little wet,but he has not pooped in his pants at all. He is more than willing to go in and sit on the potty for me. Yesterday morning he actually woke up dry from all night. He is kind of learning the potty sign now and when I sign to him he will try to sign back. So I will take it. Of course he is not asking me to take him potty, but I believe he is doing an awesome job so far! Alot of hard work and time and patience, but that's ok. I will just deal with it. May take me 4 hours to get my shopping/errands done now instead of 2, but trust me this is definitely worth it. My baby is growing up!!!!

My Big Boy

I have been noticing for the past week that Jonathon has remained dry(diaper)for longer periods and at first I thought maybe he was becoming dehydrated. He had an ear infection and a low temp for a couple of days so I started pushing fluids on him to make sure he wasn't dehydrated. Found out that he was not dehydrated, but still was staying dry. Got to thinking about his big brothers and I remember they were potty trained before they were 2yrs. old. "Could Jonathon be ready as well?" Last Monday I stuck him on the big potty just to see. Amazingly he pee'd.But he was scared to death to sit on the big potty. So ok, I knew I saved the big brothers potty and told myself I need to get it out of the attic. I also wanted to pick up some pull ups. Didn't get any pull ups yet, money is tight and I needed diapers more(I thought).

Saturday I got the potty chair out of the attic and got it all cleaned up.

Sunday morning after snack, I went in to change Jonathon and noticed that he was getting ready to poop so I hurried up and took him into the bathroom and placed him on his potty chair to see what he would do. In a matter of minutes he pee'd AND pooped!!!!! I was and still am sooooo excited!!!! My baby is becoming a big boy! Now Sunday went great, every time I took him into the bathroom and placed him on his potty he went. He even pooped again for me. He only had one slight accident when I couldn't get the diaper off fast enough. Learning the hard way that potty training with a diaper is a pain in the butt. But we will deal until we get out this week to get some pull ups and Big Boy Underwear.

I made sure that when I first heard him this morning that I immediately got out of bed and took him into bathroom explaining that we need to use the potty. I really wasn't sure how this would work, but once again my little boy is so amazing, he went pee and poop!!!! And his diaper was only a little wet, not soaked like it normally is. And I know this is because he doesn't cry, and he is quiet in the morning. Eventually he will throw stuffed animals at us or shake the crib or yell up, but we can't wait for that anymore, because by that time he has already peed and usually pooped. That is why 1. glad I am a light sleeper 2. Why I jumped up right away. 3. Totally Awesome!!!

Today has been going great so far. He is still in the same diaper that I put on him at 6:10a.m. He has used the potty 4x and has went each time. The diaper is getting stretched and is really a pain. I cannot wait to get some pull ups tomorrow for him. I think it will be much much easier.

We will be staying homebound as much as possible until we get better at this. My concern is all the germs because he is not walking and doesn't stand for long periods at a time yet and sits on the potty. Some places you have those papers you can place on the toilet, but alot of places do not have them. So I know we are safe to travel to Krogers because they have them. Right now we use the potty every hour.

AND I know we have a long way to go. Jonathon will not ask me to use potty. I am trying to teach him the sign for potty. I tell him every hour " Lets go potty" And I walk him to the bathroom, I will not carry him. And when we are done we walk out of the bathroom back to where he was playing. So lots to learn, but I firmly believe if he was not ready, he would not go when I place him on the potty chair, and he would yell and throw a fit.

I am one very proud mommy!!!!!!!

And as if this was not enough for one day. Last night after dinner I was standing in the kitchen putting dinner items away as I watched my "BABY" stand up next to the couch and put his leg up on cushion and neat as you please GOT ON MY COUCH. Now the first time he was half way up and Andrew grabbed him. I had to tell Andrew "No let him get up there" So I was happy to see him do it again. He was up with his leg, pulled himself up on belly, grabbed the remote and slid down. Now I must be quick to return if I leave the room. Wouldn't want a catastrophe!!!!!

AMAZING!!!!!

ENT Appointment has been Scheduled

Finally got a hold of someone yesterday afternoon. We are scheduled to see the ENT on March 9th at 11:15a.m.(I believe that is our little friend Aidens appt that day also)(for other reasons)Anyway I had asked for a late appointment so Gilbert could go along and not worry about missing a day of work~nobody got that message. Figures! I am not changing the appointment. I am going to try to save up a few bucks over the next 3 weeks to cover him missing a whole day or he possibly will have to go to work and leave early and just meet us there. I am trying to stay positive and not worry too much, I know if Jonathon needs tubes, this surgery is nothing like his OHS, but to me SURGERY is SURGERY and I didn't want another one. My godchild Anthony got tubes at a young age and just had horror stories over the last 13 years and I really don't want any of those things to happen either. I really don't want any part of this upcoming event, but also feel very bad that he has fluid in his ears and I do want that corrected.

Jonathon has me wondering if he is getting ready to be potty trained.????? He is drier through out the day, but pretty much is still taking in the same amount of fluids as before......Yesterday midmorning I stuck him on our toilet just to see AND he pee'd!(Total Shock) Today again he just is not wet like 2 weeks ago, but still seems to be drinking the same amount. I guess I will have to go up in the attic and get down Andrew and Kenny's potty chair and wash it up. I am thinking maybe I will pick up a pack of pull ups this week when we go out grocery shopping also. Am I ready for this? No. 1.This means my "BABY" is growing up. 2. I don't know how it will all work out seems how he is not walking yet. 3. He is not talking alot either, but that I don't think will be our problem. I think our biggest roadblock will be not walking, but together we will figure something out, or I could be ahead of myself too and he isn't even ready!

My social worker was supposed to drop off some important info on Feb 9th. No Show. I called and left her a message yesterday afternoon. Today still nothing. Hmmmmmm. Makes me wonder. One of my biggest pet peeves is waiting for someone.

My first 2a.m. wake up

call was on Friday morning. Jonathon has always been a good sleeper and has slept through the night since day one(we actually used to wake him up to feed)so when I heard him I knew something was wrong. He was coughing like he had to vomit, so I grabbed him and took him in to the bathroom just in case. I stood him over the toilet, he actually stood there for me UNTIL he decided to stick his hand in the bowl. GROSS. Didn't throw up so I felt him and he felt extremely warm so off to take his temp and get him a drink. He had a low grade temp of 100.3. Not too bad. Gave him Tylenol and tucked him back in. (the whole time I am thinking what could be wrong, I just had him into the pediatrician on Monday, hoping it was his teeth). We slept until 7a.m. Got up to start the day and check his temp again. It was still 100.3, usually his temp goes down if its teeth. Gave him so more Tylenol and got everyone breakfast. Now the older brothers had the day off school and we had planned on going shopping for the day to spend Andrews birthday money(feb1)and my birthday money(feb7). So I waited til 8:30a.m. and took his temp again, now it was 100.6. Nope something is going on, so I called pediatrician back to get an appt. We couldn't get in until 11:15a.m. Told the big brothers we had to go there first and then we would start our day. We never have to wait long at the dr. and I was shocked(and a little irritated)when I was still sitting in the waiting room after an hour!!! FINALLY the nurse came out to get us and I asked her if she forgot about us. She explained someone has tripled booked the patients that day-and apologized. (GEEZ) So we get a weight check ~ 22lbs 6 ounces(that was great) and temp ~ 100.7. Dr. comes in and starts checking Jonathon's ears~the whole time explaining that this is a low temp and that I shouldn't be concerned.(ok I say, but Jonathon only runs low temps and usually they come right down) OHHH he says as he is looking in his left ear~it's his left ear. He has an ear infection?(I say) Yes confirms the dr. Well now don't tell me to be concerned, I do know my child! THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I love my pediatrician very much, but I was a little irritated. So now we had to go all the way back to our RiteAid to get his medicine(45minute drive). Told the boys he was in pretty good spirits, we would get his medicine and I would give him a dose and then we would head out shopping. Jonathon sleeps pretty well in the van and I figured he would actually get better rest on the ride than going home and trying to nap so that is what we did. As the day continued on friday he ended up with 101.4 temp, the highest he has ever had, but overall is still in good spirits. I am a little mad, that he has this ear infection. I should have stayed with my gut when I was supposed to go the ENT in January, but the pediatrician talked me into going locally to an audiologist instead for his hearing test. If I would have went to the ENT we would have had all this taken care of instead of my poor baby suffering with fluid in both ears and now an ear infection. The ENT was supposed to call last week and didn't, I will be on the phone first thing in the morning finding out what is going on. As of today, no more fever~Jonathon is doing better, I am a little concerned about how many non wet diapers we had today compared than usual, so I am keeping an eye on him for dehydration.

New Classroom

This is our classroom on Thursdays(used to be)As you can see there is not much room for walking where Jonathon is with p.t. and that is o.t. on the other side of him working with a little boy. So how would you expect someone to learn to walk when you cannot go off of the puzzle mat.


On Tuesdays we spend our time in an actual classroom. On Thursdays for p.t. and o.t. we are actually in a small conference room. Not anymore. Today was our first day having p.t. in the Tuesday classroom. It went much better, Jonathon was able to walk for a few with the hula hoop and then he got to have a turn pushing the shopping cart around the classroom and then had time to practice transitioning from one table to another.(he can take 3 steps in between 2 tables)with the help of p.t. I am happy with our new arrangement. O.T. was on vacation today, so we will see what she has planned next Thursday.

Rainy Day

Jonathon and I woke up early this morning (6:30a.m.) and decided that we would go out this morning and get all of our running done before it started to rain. I wanted to wait until around 8a.m. because it was very foggy out. We ate breakfast, got the big brothers off to school and sat down to go through coupons and make our list. The next thing I knew it was going on 9a.m. and Jonathon was yawning, so I tried to hurry up, I still didn't get out of here until almost 10a.m. and it was pouring outside.(I hate going out in the cold rain). So bundled Jonathon up and we headed out. By the time I got to the bank Jonathon was sound asleep. Did my banking through the drive thru instead and then headed off to Dollar General to get Jonathon's mac and cheese. So he got about a 20 minute nap before I had to wake him up to shop. We got a little photo album to put his Happy Heart Day pictures in, mac and cheese and a couple other items. Back in the van and now we had to go do our grocery shopping. Suprisingly he was in pretty good spirits all through Kroger(We both hate rain days). Finished up and decided to wait on our other shopping for another day because of the pouring rain. Got home had some lunch, then grabbed a blankie and bottle and snuggled. He is now sound asleep from his busy morning. Later on when he gets up I want to show him his new puzzle that his Aunt Carol-Ann bought him. Hopefully he will like it.

We have been busy these last few days

Happy Heart Day was a success for us. We had a great day at school and then later in the afternoon grandma and grandpa came to visit along with our good friend Randy. We had lasagna, salad and garlic bread for dinner(which Jonathon loved). For dessert we had a Heart Shaped Cake with vanilla ice cream(which Jonathon did not like) He prefers to have chocolate cake and marble ice cream. OOPS on mommy's part. Sorry Jonathon. Lots of balloons and lots of fun.

Feb 7, was mommy's birthday. Daddy had a surprise birthday party for her(which she did not want). But overall it turned out well and it was nice to sit and catch up with friends and family. Mommy is now "40"

Monday we went back to the doctor for a recheck on right ear that had fluid in it. Doc thought it looked ok, but we got the tympanogram out AND no he did not pass in either ear still. I am so bummed out and a little irritated. In January we were going to go to the ENT, but pediatrician didn't think anything was wrong so we decided to go locally. I should have just went to the ENT 1 month ago, we would be done with all of this instead of "here we go" I feel bad as a mom that Jonathon has been this way way over a month(30 days on Claritin) and I have noticed a difference over the last 30 days that when we tell him no or certain people certain sounds he covers both his ears(like it hurts). So we are being referred to the ENT doctor now. I should know by the end of this week when our appt. is. I am not sure what will take place-Jonathon has never had 1 ear infection, but I am guessing that this means he needs tubes in his ears. And I made sure they made our appt for the latest one so Gilbert can go with us. When it's important doc visits like this I would rather him be there, then me try to remember everything and re-explain to him. I sooooo did not want my baby to go through another surgery. I have 2 nephews and 2 nieces on my husbands side that have tubes in their ears(maybe this is hereditary)

School today - went better than last week. I took my friends advice(Stephanie) and (Missy) and told the teacher that I didn't want Jonathon strapped into a high chair, that high chairs are for eating and that I would prefer him to be in a chair of booster chair up to the table. So she took the tray off the high chair and moved him up to the table. I also explained how I didn't see the point of being strapped in to play with toys on the table and that we don't play with toys on the table at home. She explained again - this is so he can learn to play without throwing toys- I then said"By the way I heard you mention last week about blocks being stacked by June" We brought our own blocks to show you. We had single stacking blocks and double stacking blocks. We stacked each one about 5-6 high. Yes he threw 3 or 4, but he did stack the rest. I reassured her that we are working on not throwing toys at home, but that it's hard when you teach your child to throw and it's a great accomplishment and now you don't want him to throw. And I asked her if this was what she was looking for. She told me she was quite happy and was glad to see he could do it. And I also asked her if we could start doing p.t. in her classroom instead of where we normally do it because I feel Jonathon is being held back. There is way more room in the classroom and 10x safer. She agreed that Thursday we can start p.t. in her room. So we will see on Thursday if p.t. is happy with my decision. Thanks for the advice( Stephanie and Missy) it was a great help in getting me motivated to open my mouth.

It is Happy Heart Day!

It is finally here, Happy Heart Day! This is Jonathon's very first anniversary from OHS. Last year at this time, I was pacing the floors and praying that our baby would make it through open heart surgery. We were very fortunate and had my sister and her husband with us for support. I don't know what we would have done without them by our sides.(Thank you again sis-love you!) I sit here and think about all that we have went through up to Feb 5, 2008 and what differences have occurred since Feb 5, 2008. A world of difference. Before surgery Jonathon was very cold all the time, got tired quickly, and I literally bottle fed him every 3 hours to keep the weight on him and to get him heavy enough for surgery. I never slept, but I did what I had to do to protect my son and to help him. I am so glad that I chose that route. Now he is a good color, hot ALL the time, never never tired, is crawling all over the place, walking with help and around the furniture, signing words to me, talking a little, is able to drink from a reg. sippy cup and straw sippy cup, feeds himself with help from me, finger food feeding is coming along much better, even tries to drink from a regular cup! He loves to play, is able to stack blocks, put balls in holes and pound them in, just got a wooden work bench that you have to pound shapes through(he can do it), pushes his trucks, cars all over my house, including 2 at a time, loves to read his story books to himself and loves to hear us read to him, loves music. He is sooooo happy and content and I am very proud of him! I am so so happy and relieved that surgery was a SUCCESS for us! We only visit the cardiologist once a year.
We are having a little party for Jonathon this evening-grandma and grandpa, friend Randy and all of us. Dinner and cake and ice-cream. It's going to be a great day.
HAPPY HEART DAY MY ANGEL!!!!!!!!Love Mommy

School was Crazy Today

Jonathon was something else. With his teacher he did quite well. Except he still doesn't want to stack blocks with her. He would rather throw them. (I heard her say today that he needs to do this before June). I probably should have spoke up, but I didn't. She has now started making him sit in a high chair too for the whole half hour(she thinks this will solve the throwing problem). Not too sure if I want him confined to high chair all the time either. And it isn't stopping the problem either. At home he doesn't throw blocks anymore. We stack them and he knocks them over - but we taught him to do that months ago, it was a stepping stone - now we are slowy trying to teach him not to do that with blocks at least. He will stack some blocks with me. (she wants a TOWER ), I am thinking about taking our blocks in to show her he can do it. I don' t think it should be an issue on whose blocks. But who knows! I really miss my teachers from last year.(we were in a different school). Another thing that happened was his teacher got a dump truck out and Jonathon just loved it.It looks like its old. It is made my little people, so I am going to see if I can find it. He didn't want to give that truck up for anything. THEN he gave speech a run for her money today. He wanted to play with the dump truck and not her. He kept crawling away really fast every time she came near him. He threw all her toys and just wouldn't cooperate. I had to laugh though - he was full of piss and vinegar! But like I always say - he doesn't like them a whole lot. He loves his p.t. and o.t. though. Hopefully Thursday will be a better day.